Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-08-25

"Yes. know it iA, very. But it
isn't his fault, and you must face the
music"
''Oh dear, dear, dear! But I'll try;
yes. Lawrence. I'll try. Iwill!'
Il knew it. That's . good girl.
Now keep your vail down and your
pluck up till you are called. and then
march up with brave front" And
Lawrence left her. Annie obeyed
orders by drawing her vail tightly
over her face and shrinking as lar into
the wall as lath and plaster would
permit And thus an hour passed,
during which time a dozen petty cases
were disposed Of. and that number Of
desecrated temples sent where they
could harm neither themselves nor
their fellows for brief time. After
this there was short pause, and then
the case of "Peter Perkins" was called.
and tall. toreign-looking man. some
time passed the meridian of life.
stepped to the bar
The State made out its case. It was
a strong chain of suspicious circum-
stances, told by very positive wit
nesses. The accused listened with
visible rage, which took all the per-
suasion of his counsel to keep from
bursting bonds. The State rested.
and justice smiled upon having secured
an unusually fine rascal.
Lawrence rose for the defense, and
the first witness, annie Garnet" was
| called.
Poor Annie! her heart jumped to her
throat and stuck there in lump, and
her cars seemed bursting from the
| sound. Never had thunder clap. or
cannon boom crashed half so loud.
She felt glued to her seat. She couldn't
rise. What would she do? She would
go! And shutting her teeth firm and
hard. she drew herself up and walked
to the terrible witness stand.
A buzz ran through the room as she
was being sworn, but a stern ''silence"
from the Court stopped it, and
Annie took her seat with little cour-
age crawling into her veins.
Lawrence began the examination.
'Look at the prisoner"
Annie did so.
''Have you ever seen him bcfore"'
"Yes-that is, mean no."
A litter went around, and Lawrence
looked very stern. to keep back 3
smile. "Will you kindly say: yes, or no."
mo. that is. never in the light"
The Court looked in disgust, first at
the witness and then at the counsel,
as if not sure but that his dignity re-
quired he should commit both for con-
tempt. But Lawrence. undaunted,
merely coughed significantly, and then
held up the bracelet.
''Now. can you tell me if you ever
saw this bcfore?"
"Oh, yes. 1t is mine" A sensation
in the crowd.
Are you sure?'
Certainly, and you know it. too,
Lawrence. An audible litter, and
poor Annie was nearly upset again,
but Lawrence plunged on mercilessly
like the surgeon with his knife.
"Can you tell how it came under the
prisoners collar?"
Eyes. SIR"
'.How?"
"I-I-lOst it thcrc!'
'.When?"
"When-when-I kissed him in the
dark!' And then suddenly gaining
courage Annie turned to His Honor,
and with gentle dignity told her
story.
OF course the prisoner was acquitted.
and the boom rang with cheers till the
court compelled order. In the con-
fusion Lawrence took Annie out to a
side room till carriage could be called.
Poor Annie. Her dignity had wiltcd,
and it took all Lawrence's firmness to
keep her from histories. He soothed,
and petted. and praised her courage,
till a knock sounded on the door.
Come" said he, thinking it was the
carriage, but instead Of an attendant
there appeared Mr. Peter Perkins.
Il beg pardon for intruding," said
he. "but they told mo you were here,
and 1 came at once for must see you
before you leave. Madame Ito Annic)
it is hardly necessary for me to say
how grateful am for that service you
have done me, for you must know that
yourself. but in your action of to-day,
it is possible that you have done us
both still greater service than you
dreamed of and that has brought me
here. God grant l have not come in
vain. You have that bracelet" There
was tremor of suppressed eagerness
in his voice that startled poor Armies |
shattered nerves again, and she looked
half frightened at Lawrence, who re-
"a |